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^ PRINTED BY ORDER OF CITY COUNCILS. 





OF THE 


SEVENTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY 


OF THE 



PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER irtli, 1861. 



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PHILADELPHIA: 

KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, 607 SANSOM STREET. 

18 6 1 . 































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1 




PROCEEDINGS OE CITY COUNCILS. 


(Philadelphia, September 12th, 1^61. 


At a Stated Meeting of the Select and Common 
Councils of the City of Philadelphia, held this 
day, the following Memorial was presented to 
each body: 

Q!o the Beleot ourioL OorriTrhOTi CoubnoiZs 
of the Qity of (Philobdelphicu : 

The Petition of the Undersigned, Citizens of Philadelphia, 
fSLe&lhEct^LLLLjp. ffLEfL^e.&e.n.ts.: 

That, as the Constitution of the United States 
was signed in Philadelphia, a proud memorial in the 
Nation’s History, which is the exclusive property of 
this City, they earnestly desire that the approaching 
Anniversary of that great event, the first since the 
commencement of the Grreat Eebellion, should be 
observed here in a manner commensurate with the 
loyal character of the People. 

They desire it in grateful remembrance of those 
who have preceded, and as a noble incentive to those 
who are to come after them. And they desire it 
further, as a proper manifestation to their loyal fellow- 
citizens throughout the Union, of the steadiness and 
brightness with which, at this great National Crisis, 












4 


tlie fires of Patriotism continue to burn upon her 
Altars, here in this great City, in which, not only was 
the Constitution signed, but from which the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence, and the Farewell Address of 
our immortal Founder, were first issued to the FTation 
and to the World. 

They, therefore, respectfully and earnestly request 



commemorate the 17th day of September next, as far 
as possible, by patriotic observances, similar to those 
which annually mark the return of the 4th of July 
and the 22d of February. 


G. M. DALLAS, 

JOHN D. TAYLOR, 

A. J LEWIS, 

HOR. ETTING, 

B. GERHARD, 

HENRY J. ROLLER, 

,1AY COOKE, 

SAMUEL HART, 

HOR. HUBBELL, 

ABRAHAM S. HOLT, 

CHARLES GILPIK, 

WILLIAM NEWELL, 

J. MURRAY RUSH, 

WILLIAM F. NORTH, 

DAN. DOUGHERTY, 

JOHN E. ASHMEAD, 

LITTLE, STOKES & CO. 

SAMUEL ABBOTT, 

JAMES DUNDAS, 

F. U. STITT, a Tennes.see Refugee. 

JOHN GRIGG, 

W. II. MERRICK, 

GEORGE W. WOLF, 

JOSEPH PEROT, 

JACOB F. DERR, 

HENRY W. SCOTT, 

JOHN OAKFORD, 

JOHN E. ADDICKS, 

ENOCH TAYLOR, 

JOHN M. PUGH. 

HENRY R. GUMMEY, 

DAVID H. WHITE, 

THOMAS A. GUMMEY, 

SAMUEL M. FOX, 

HENRY GARRETT, 

W. HALL, 

HORATIO GATES JONES, 

ALEX. BIDDLE, 

JAMES L. SHARPE, 

JOHN F GILPIN, 

JAMES J. BARCLAY, 

B. P. HUTCHINSON, 

ALEXANDER FULLERTON, 

JAMES H. DUFFEE, 

M. C. SHALLCROSS, 

SAMUEL BRECK, 

CHARLES S. COXE. 

.1. R. INGERSOI-L. 

GARRICK MALLERY, 

BENJAMIN RUSH, 

W. L. SCHAFFER, 

ISAAC HAZLEHURST, 

A. V. PARSONS, 

MORTON McMICHAEL, 


















J. A. PRY, 

THOMAS A. BUDD, 

T. A. BUDD, Jr. 

SAMUEL C. PERKINS, 
GEORGE J UN KIN, Jr. 
SAMUEL H. PERKINS, 
BOYD STROUD, 

HENRY J. WILLIAMS, 
CHARLES E. LEX, 
FRANK M. ETTING, 
THOMAS D. SMITH, 
GEORGE G. THOMAS, 

A. G. STOUT, 

JOSEPH A. CLAY, 

T. DUNLAP, 

EVANS ROGERS, 

JOSIAH W. SMITH, 
THOMAS J. MEGEAR, 

C. MACALESTER, 
GEORGE W. JONES, 

C. W. CHURCHMAN, 
EDWARD R. IIELMBJLD, 
M. PATTERSON, 

E. H. BUTLER & CO. 

M THOMAS, 


ANNESLEY R. GOVETT, 
PETER PENN GASKELL. 
GEORGE N. HARVEY, 

I. B. BAXTER, 

FRANCIS WEST, 

JOHN C. CARPENTIER, 
JOHN C. SCOTT, 
FREDERICK DEVEREUX, 
JAMES B. HANCOCK, 
JAMES CAMPBELL, 
ROBERT WRIGHT, 

R. WHITAKER, 

CHARLES P. BICKNELL, 
SAMUEL SHAFER, 

FRANK C. THOMAS, 

E. CARPENTER, 

WM. H. BROWN, 

SAMUEL P. DARLINGTON, 
WM. R. GRIES, 

THOMAS EDWARDS, Jr. 
JOS. C. HAINES, 

D. M. ROBINSON, 

J. P. HUTCHINSON, 

W B. HILL, 

And others. 


Mr. Bradford, of Select Council, offered the 
following: 


RESOLUTION, 

“In reference to the Celebration of the I7th of September, 1861, being the Anniver¬ 
sary of the Adoption of the Constitution of the United States of America.” 

Whereas, In times like these, it is of importance that 
the objects and purposes of the Constitution should be 
clearly understood by all classes of our loyal fellow citizens, 
and that an opportunity should be afforded them to demon¬ 
strate their determination to maintain the Union : 


And whereas. No day could be set apart for that pur- 























l)Ose more fitting than that on which the great instrument, 
in which it is embodied, was signed, therefore be it 

Resolved, That Hon. George M. Dallas be requested to 
deliver an address to the assembled citizens of Philadelphia, 
in Independence Square, on the morning of Tuesday next, 
the Iph of September, 1861, at 12 o’clock, M., on the 
subject of the Constitution of the United States. 

Resolved, That the Commissioner of City Property be 
instructed to have a suitable stage erected in the Squalfe, 
on that morning, to accommodate the Orator, the Mayor 
and Councils, and such distinguished citizens as may be 
invited to be present with them. 

Resolved, That a Committee of five members from each 
Chamber be appointed to carry the above Resolutions into 
effect, and to add such ceremonies to those named in the 
above Resolutions, as they may deem proper, to give 
dignity and prominence to the occasion. 

AVhich was imanimously agreed to.^ 

Common Council concurrecl.f 
And the Presidents of each Chamber appointed 
the following Committee: 


Select Council. 


Common Council. 


Messrs. 

Wm. Bradford, 
Stephen Benton, 
J. Q. Ginnodo, 
Joseph S. Riley, 
W. H. Drayton. 


Messrs. 

Wm. a. Ingham, 

A. R. Paul, 

Geo. W. Simons, 

A. J. Catherwood, 
Samuel J. Creswell. 


Attest, George F. Gordon, 


Clerk of Common Council. 


Journal of Select Council, p. 49. 


t Journal of Common Council, p. 60. 













CELEBHATIOH 


OF THE 

SEVENTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE 


SIGNING OF THE CONSTITUTION 


OF THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 


Tuesday, September 17th, 1861, wiU. be recorded 
in the history of Philadelphia, as a new era in 
national holidays—a connecting Hnk, in the chain 
of years, that will bind our people together more 
firmly in the bonds of fraternity and patriotism. 

At sunrise, a salute was fired from the heavy 
guns at the Navy Yard, and from batteries in 
different parts of the City. American flags were 
run up mast-high on all the prominent buildings, 
and many of the private ones displayed emblems 
of loyalty to the Union, the Constitution, and the 
Laws. 

A large stand was erected in Independence 
Square, stretching across the entire width of the 











8 


brick-work of the base of the steeple. This was 
gaily decorated with American flags, and the roof 
was covered with a large sail, kindly loaned by the 
commandant at the Navy Yard. The arrange¬ 
ments about the stand were in good taste and 
highly patriotic. Ample accommodations were 
made for the officers, orator, reporters, &c. On 
the front of the stand was the following motto: 

“THE CONSTITUTION AND THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PKESERYED.” 

A large pohce force was detailed by Chief 
Ruggles, which preserved the most admirable 
order, notwithstanding the heavy pressure of an 
immense multitude. 

The programme was neatly printed on letter 
sheet, in red, white, and blue colors, under the 
direction of the patriotic George F. Gordon, the 
Clerk of Common Council. This document, 
worthy of preservation, was handsomely embel¬ 
lished with a vignette, representing fraternity, or 
a union of hands, for the sake of the Union and 
the Constitution. 

The multitude was immense. The public 
schools were closed, business was generally 
suspended, and there was great excitement, of 
a joyous and pleasurable nature, manifested by 
everybody. 
















9 



£)lie jlilLitcuij, 

The right of the military line formed on Twelfth 
Street, resting on Callowhill, and, punctual to the 
minute, the march commmenced, under Brigadier 
General Pleasonton, and the procession moved 
agreeably to the programme of the route, as pre¬ 
viously published. A halt was made in front of 
the residence of the Honorable George M. Dallas, 
on Walnut Street, below Tenth, and the distin¬ 
guished gentleman, after having been received by 
the troops with military honors, was conducted to 
the barouche by members of the City Councils. 
The line of march was taken up again, and about 
twelve o’clock, in the midst of a heavy shower 
of rain, the barouche reached the front of Inde¬ 
pendence Hall, and the orator of the day was 
escorted through well-drawn-up lines of police. 

The display of military was exceedingly credit¬ 
able, and was composed as follows: 

BRIGADIER GENERAL A. J. PLEASONTON. 
r Major John Neill, Assistant Surgeon General. 

Staff. J Major Andrew J. Cohen, Assistant Inspector General. 
(. Captain E. Spencer Miller, Aid-de-camp, 



1st Battalion 1st Regiment of Rifles. 
Major Henry Presser. 

Co. A.—Capt. A. Schoenbein, 

“ B.—Lieut. M. Eggeling, 

“ C.—Capt. John Schaeffer. 

“ D.—Capt. F. W. Thomas, 

“ E.—Capt. Louis Winter. 













10 



1st Battalion 2d Hegiment Kifles. 
Major Charles E. Graeff. 

Co. A.—Lieut. Horatio G. Jones, commanding. 
“ B.—Capt. George J. Corrie, 

“ C.—Capt. B. B. AVilson, 

“ D.—Capt. Joseph Horn. 


1st Begiment Infantry of the line. 
Lieut.-Col. Jas. Boss Snowden, commanding. 

Major R. M. Foust. 

Major Leonard Myers. 

Adjutant Michael Lukens. 

Co. A—J. J. Heisler, 

“ B.—Lieut. Isaac C. Price, commanding, 

“ C.—Aquila Haines, 

“ I).—AA^ H. Binder, 

“ E.—S. Snyder Leidy, 

“ F.—Henry Manderson, 

“ G. 

“ H.—Lawrence Kelly, 

“ I.—John Motz, 

“ K.—Samuel Hart. 


2d Begiment Infantry of the line. 


Colonel Charles P. Dare. 


Lieut.-Colonel John Nukummet. 


Major Lewis A. Scott. 

Adjutant AV. H. Daniels. 
Paymaster AV. H. Rhawn. 
Quartermaster-AlcClellan. 


Co. A.—B. G. Barney, 

“ B.—Lieut. AVm. Richmond, 
“ C.—Lieut. 0. H. P. Parker, 
“ 1).—Horace B. Fry, 


Co. F.—Joseph Patton, 

“ G.—E. H. Grant, 

“ I.—J. L. Anderson, 
“ K.—Rene Guillou. 
















11 




Battalion 3d Regiment Infantry of the line. 
Major L. B. Thomas. 

Co. A.—Lieut. Thos. M. Plowman, 

“ B.—Capt. Wm. AV, AYinn, 

“ C.—Capt. Francis Hughes. 


1st Regiment Cavalry. 

Co. A.—Capt John Bavington, 

“ B.—Capt. J. W. Hall. 

The extreme right was occupied by four High 
Constables, mounted. These Avere immediately 
followed by platoons of ReserA^e Corps of Police, 
under the command of Sergeant LoAuire. 

Immense crowds of people lined the sidewalks, 
but the rain interfered Avith their comfort, though 
it did not seem to dampen the ardor of their 

patriotism. Evening Bulletin. 

^Ihe. ^iLeetin^ in JPricLelhciidancie. ^(f^ucLta. 

Precisely at 12 o’clock, M., the meeting Avas 
organized, as follows: 

^ 4 £^ di-e. ^aLLaLulnjr^ ^LiLsLacLL ^acietLEB : 

THE MiENNERCHOR,—HANDEL AND HADYN SOCIETY,— 

JUNIOR M^NNERCHOR,—M^NNERCHOR RIFLES,— 

FREE MEN RIFLES, 
and several other Musical Societies. 


Music, under the direction of Prof. BIRGFIELD, Brigade Baud Master 
Philadelphia Home Guard. 

















12 



I. 

il/Mstc—AMERICA. 

My country! ’tis of thee,' 
Sweet land of liberty 1 
Of thee I sing: 

Land Mdiere my fathers died; 
Land of the pilgrims pride; 
From every mountain side, 
Let freedom ring. 

]My native country 1 thee. 
Land of the noble free, 

Thy name I love; 

I love thy rocks and rills, 

Thy woods and templed hills; 
]\Iy heart with rapture thrills; 
Like that above. 

Our fathers’ God 1 to thee. 
Author of liberty 1 
To thee we sing: 

Long may our land be bright 
With freedom’s holy light; 
Protect us by thy might. 
Great God, our King 1 


Mr. Creswell, of the Committee, appeared, and 
said: 


JVLy FTiends ound 'Fellouj Citizens: 

It affords me great pleasure to introduce to 
you, as the President of this meeting, the Honor¬ 
able Alexander Henry, Mayor of the City of 
Philadelphia. 





















13 


^^e.&LLLc.lLt. 

ALEXANDER HENRY, 

Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. 

Mayor Henry appeared and took his place. 

W. A. Ingham, Esq., of the Committee, then 
nominated the following Vice-Presidents and 
Secretaries. 


e.sLcL(Ln±&. 


Horace Binney, 

Thomas Tasker, 

J. R. Ingersoll, 

John C. Cresson, 

Samuel Breck, 

Caleb Cope, 

AY. AI. AIeredith, 

Joel B. Sutherland, 

J. Edgar Thompson, 

John AIcCrea, 

John B. AIyers, 

Benjamin Rush, 

John AA^elsh, 

Col. John Thompson, 

S. AI. Felton. 

Chas. AIacalester, 

Henry J. AVilliams, 

Com : Charles Stewart, 

John Graeff, 

Thomas A. Budd, 

Peter AYilliamson, 

Joseph AYayne, Sr. 

John C. Farr, 

Franklin Peale, 

Tiios. Dunlap, 

John G. AA^atmough, 

AA^m. AIusser, 

Charles S. Coxe, 

Col. J. S. Riley, 

James Dundas, 

Daniel Paul, 

Simon Gratz, 

Peter Penn Gaskill, 

Thomas I. Potts. 


Benjamin Gerhard, 

AYm. H. AIerrick, 

George AY. Budd, 

John E. Addicks, 

John Carter, 

Joseph Thomas, 

AYm. Rotch AA^'ister, 

Charles Gilpin, 

H. C. Primrose, AI. D., 

Samuel C. Perkins, 

Isaac Hazlehurst, 

Samuel B. Miller, 


Alexander Whilldin. 


















u 


cnlloc/ucec/ ^/le 

Ii:EY. liEU^EJ^ JEFFIilEB, (F.(F, 

tu^o c/e/cue'lec/ 

PRAYER. 


Almighty and most Merciful God, we assemble 
this day to invoke Thy blessing upon ns as a 
people and as a nation. We adore Thee, oh, 
God, that Thou hast marked our history thus far 
by the peculiar and unmistakeable evidences of 
the divine approbation. Now, oh God, in this our 
hour of trial, in this the day of our calamity, we 
turn to Thee and confess unto Thee our sins, and 
invoke towards us expressions of Thy continued 
loving kindness and tender mercy. 

We rejoice, oh God, that thou hast founded 
our Union in the very birth-throes of prayer! 
That those who gave to us our liberties, were men 
that feared God. We pray that thou wouldst 
answer their unanswered prayers in our behalf. 
AYe beseech Thee, oh God, to look down upon 
us; to avert from us the terrible calamities which 
are now threatening our very existence. Give to 
us, we beseech Thee, oh God, a recognition of 
Thy superintending Providence. 

Oh, grant that we may adore Thee and fear 
Thee as the God of nations—as that august Beinof 

o o 











15 


who dost rule in the skies, and dost order all 
things after the counsel of Thine only will. 

We pray that Thou Avouldst not disappoint the 
expectations of our people; and our prayer to 
Thee this morning is urged by the memories of 
the past, and by the pledges of Thy favors that 
have been continued in the tokens of Thy loving 
kindness towards us. Surely Thou hast given to 
us our liberties,—surely Thou hast given to us 
the Constitution whose adoption we celebrate 
to-day, as pledges that Thou wouldst accomplish 
for us a glorious destiny. 

Now, oh God, that the clouds have gathered 
around us, grant that when they shall have dis¬ 
appeared, the banner of our country’s glory may 
be floating and waving over our entire territory, 
the sign of our nation’s unity. 

We beseech Thee, to bring to a speedy termi¬ 
nation the fearful rebellion that is now raging 
around us; that Thou wilt disperse the armies 
that are gathered against us; that Thou wouldst 
assuage the rage of our enemies, and confound 
their councils—that Thou wouldst bring them in 
the ways of reason, teach them that in rebelling 
against our Government they are rebeUing against 
Thee! 

Oh God! we pray that Thou wouldst teach us 
wherein we have offended Thee, and give us grace 
to confess our sins, and grace to reform. And we 












pray Thee, oli Lord, that Thou wouldst not turn 
us away from Thee, but turn all Thy love towards 
us, that we may prosper again. 

We pray Thee, our Heavenly Father, to bless 
the President of the United States, and all in 
authority under him. Give unto him great dis¬ 
cretion, and humble trust in Thee, and a reliance^* 
in Thy superintending Providence in this, the 
hour of our great danger! God grant that this 
city of our love and our residence, the Mayor, and 
all upon whom devolve the responsibilities of 
administration, shall be preserved against misfor¬ 
tune. We command Thy blessing. Oh God, on 
the occasion of this day, and upon the venerable 
speaker who is to address us, and thanking Thee 
that Thou hast given him history so subservient 
to the welfare of our country. 

Oh God, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst 
give to us all hearts loyal to our Government, 
and loyal to Thee; and so do Thou grant that 
our danger may pass away, that we may live a 
peaceful and prosperous nation, and fulfil the high 
destiny to which Thou hast appointed us; and 
when, at last, we, with other nations, shall have 
passed away, grant that we may be a part of Thy 
heavenly kingdom, having no end. We ask thus 
much for the Pedeemer’s sake. Amen. 



III. 

OLD HUNDRED—By the Bands. 














17 


Mayor Henry arose, and spoke as follows: 
Fellouj Citizens: 

The Councils of Philadelphia have deemed it 
appropriate, more especially in view of the dis¬ 
tracted and unhappy condition of our country, 
that this day, the seventy-fourth anniversary of 
the adoption of the Federal Constitution, shoidd 
be marked by its public and general observance 
in your midst. 

They have invited you to assemble in this most 
hallowed place, that its proud memories may incite 
your ardor as patriots, and call forth renewed 
vows of uncompromising, enduring loyalty. An 
eminent citizen has been invited to address 
you upon this occasion — one whose steadfast 
devotion to that Constitution is illustrated in a 
long career of service in the most honored offices 
of the Ilepublic. [Cheers.] 

His ripe experience and enlightened judgment 
well fit him to rehearse the virtues and wisdom 
of the past, and to discern amid the surrounding 
gloom the cheering auspices of a yet glorious 
future. 

This place, this throng, this scene cannot fail to 
recall the last occasion upon which you, my fellow- 
citizens, were gathered here, by the appointment 
of your municipal authorities. But eight months 
since, you, citizens of Philadelphia, in all earnest¬ 
ness and affection, stretched forth the hand of 












18 



brotherhood to the disaffected people of other 
sections of our coimnoii country. The proffer of 
that hand has been spurned and rejected. 

I shall not dwell upon the sad events which, 
since then, have plunged our country into a fratri¬ 
cidal strife. I shall not recount the rapid develop¬ 
ments of treason, the unscrupulous seizure of youi\ 
National property, the armed resistance to rightful 
authorities, or those other acts of aggression and 
defiance which at length have culminated in the 
rebel hosts, who, with impotent menaces, this day 
beleaguer the capital of your land. History will 
reserve its darkest page for the perfidy, the ingra¬ 
titude, and infatuation, which find no parallel in 
its records. 

During seventy-four years our steady growth, 
and increasing prosperity have challenged the 
admiration of the world; and yet, my fellow- 
citizens, it will be better—I say it to you delibe¬ 
rately and solemnly—it will be better, far better, 
for the highest, noblest interests of mankind, 
that the seventy-four years to come shall bring 
with them all the desolating curses of war, than 
that our Federal Constitution shall be overthrown 
[cheers,] or that one foot of the soil which it has 
enfranchised, shall be wrested from its dominion. 
It can be of little hindrance to the onward pro¬ 
gress of man that two or three generations of this 
people with their ephemeral interests shall be the 




















19 


victims of wasting strife; but it will be an un¬ 
utterable calamity if the first and only beacon of 
constitutional freedom that in six thousand years 
has gleamed along the pathway of nations shall be 
suffered to be dimmed or put out. But, fellow- 
citizens, if you are true to yourselves—if you are 
true to your obligations to posterity—if you are 
true to your country in this her hour of need, no 
such unhappy destiny awaits us. Already re¬ 
newed confidence in the stability of our institu¬ 
tions is banishing mistrust and apprehension. 
Already a reasonable hope may be indulged and 
proclaimed, that, ere many recurring anniversaries 
of this day, the fealty and devotion which you 
have assembled to avow, shall be manifested 
everywhere, through a reunited, peaceful, pros¬ 
perous land. God grant it may speedily be 
fulfilled. [Tremendous cheering.] 


IV. 


^3Lc&aLiLtLan.& . 


Presented and read by Win. Bradford, Esq., and unanimousjy 


adopted by the meeting. 


Whereas^ Our National Constitution was formed, 
after fidl experience of the fatal weakness and 
utter inefficiency of a mere Confederation of 
States, in order to effect a more perfect union: 
















20 


And whereas^ A portion of the people of this 
nation, after having sedulously perverted the plain 
meaning of that instrument, have at last boldly 
trampled on its obligations, and are now in armed 
rebellion against its supporters, with the avowed 
object of severing the Union: 

And whereas^ It is eminently proper, in these 
dark and trying times, that the citizens of Phila¬ 
delphia, the birth-place of the Constitution, should 
assemble, on the anniversary of its adoption, a day 
too little regarded amid the selfishness of our 
former unparalleled prosperity, to revive their 
devotion and renew their fealty to the sacred 
principles embodied in that glorious instrument; 
therefore. 

Resolved^ That the Constitution of the United 
States is the supreme law of the land, and that 
there is no foundation anywhere within its pro¬ 
visions, or outside of them, for the assumption that 
allegiance is primarily due to the States, and only 
secondarily to the National Government. 

Resolved^ That the Union established by the 
adoption of the Constitution is, and was intended 
to be, perpetual. 

Resolved^ That to the Union we owe, under 
God, all the prosperity which we have hitherto 













21 


enjoyed; that it is the sole guarantee of our liber¬ 
ties, and that without it we would fall into a state 
of confusion, anarchy, and intestine war, utterly 
destructive of our highest blessings and our most 
precious rights. 

Resohecl^ That the doctrine that a State may 
absolve its citizens from their national allegiance, 
and may withdraw at will from the Union, is a 
monstrous political heresy, and the attempt to 
exercise this pretended right is a crime of the 
deepest dye. 

Resolved^ That, while such a crime is attempted, 
we will recognize but two classes of men, the 
friends and the enemies of our country, and will 
devote our whole energies, and expend our whole 
means, to sustain the one and suppress the other. 


(Signed) 


Wm. Bradford, 

W. A. Ingham, 
Samuel J. Creswell, 
A. R. Paul, 

George W. Simons, 


A. J. Gather WOOD, 


J. Q. Ginnodo, 


Stephen Benton, 
W. H. Drayton, 
Joseph S. Riley. 


Attest, Geo. F. Gordon, 


Clerk. 
















22 


V. 

& Lai ion, 

B Y 

Hon. GEORGE M. DALLAS. 

FeTLo-uj Oitizens of (PTziladelpJiicu : 

Your Municipal Councils, on Thursday evening 
last, adopted a resolution, expressing the wish, to 
commemorate this anniversary in some suitable 
manner, and requesting me to address you on the 
subject of the Constitution of the United States. 
The duty thus suddenly but flatteringly imposed, 
is undertaken with ditfldence, trusting implicitly 
to your indulgence. 

There are epochs of trial in the history of every 
country, when it becomes indispensable to the 
general safety, order, and honor that there should 
be unanimity of sentiment and exertion. We 
have entered upon such an epoch, and if the 
essential unanimity, or anything near it, can be 
obtained, the epoch, however laden with fruits of 
bitterness and anguish, will shortly pass away; if 
otherwise, then, indeed, it will be as impossible to 
see the distant end as to fathom the dark depths 
of our calamities. 

Can there be anything on which we should so 
harmoniously and vigorously co-operate as in 
maintaining the Constitution 1 Heretofore, Ameri- 











23 


can differences as to that instrument liave been 
those of mere interpretation, often subtle, and 
mostly ardent, but always peacefully disposed of 
Now, however, we are required to abandon, give 
up, surrender, abolish the Constitution altogether, 
to reduce to dead letter its clearest clauses, to 
forego its cro’wning product—the Union, and to 
accept in its stead something crudely fashioned by 
avowedly exasperated and unfriendly hands ! 

AVe can’t do that: and I will try to tell you 
why. 

Taking for granted, fellow-citizens, the absolute 
necessity of some form of government, this funda¬ 
mental charter has victoriously borne the test of 
time and talent. Its steady operation for seventy- 
two years drew to it the homage of universal ad¬ 
miration. No wonder; for it was the offspring of 
the wisest and purest deliberative council the 
world has ever seen, and its rich fruits of human 
prosperity, happiness, strength and glory, have in 
unceasing progression, riveted the astonished gaze 
and awakened the yearning sympathies of men 
everywhere. 

From the great date when AVashington first 
took the oath of office, as President, April 30, 
1789, down to a very recent period, Avhat purpose 
contemplated by the sages who made it, has this 
Constitution failed to fulfill Not one. Those 
purposes, as enumerated in the preamble, were 












24 


“ to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, 
insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the com¬ 
mon defence, promote the general’ welfare, and 
secure the blessings of Libertya summary, com¬ 
pact and comprehensive, including all the aims 
which a nation of the highest civilization could 
hope to achieve. Amid the countless and un- ^ 
avoidable vicissitudes of human affairs, every dan¬ 
gerous ordeal has been met and passed; foreign 
war, domestic insurrection, financial panic and 
fraud, traitorous conspiracy and factious strife, had 
all successively proved its efficacy; while its benefi¬ 
cent influence was attested by vast accessions of 
States, Territories and people, by the boundless 
spread of industry, education and comfort, and by 
the unimpeded enjoyment and exercise of legal 
rights. 

A Constitution founded upon considerations 
connected with the genius, pursuits, wants, pros¬ 
pects, and even the climate of a numerous people, 
is always designed to be permanent, to be unalter¬ 
able, or alterable only after measured care and in 
the manner prescribed within itself. Hence, the 
original formation of a Constitution is confided to 
the best intellects, soundest hearts, and most en¬ 
larged experience; and hence, too, it is that so 
important an arrangement—fixing and fastening 
the roots of social and political being for all time 
—if once adequately tried, and found in every 













25 


respect appropriate, must be clung to with afFec- 
tionate constancy, and reverence. No casual dis¬ 
turbance of the political elements, no quick and 
menacing congregation of cloud, can be permitted 
to strike, as with an electric bolt, and so shatter 
into fragments the solid Temple reared for immor¬ 
tality, by immortal architects like Washington, 
Franldin, Madison, Sherman, Hamilton, Wilson, 
Dickinson, Head, Pinckney. Society at large has 
too much at stake, in the future and the present, 
and in the memories of the past, not to spring- 
forward with its shield of defence as one man. 

So entirely satisfied were the illustrious found¬ 
ers with the edifice they constructed, and yet so 
modest is true wisdom, that as they were about to 
end their work, the fifth article was inserted. 
Their language in that article is simply this:— 
“ Amend it, oh! yes, amend it if you choose and 
can; but when you desire that, we prescribe in 
advance, as indispensable, the only course of pre¬ 
liminary proceeding by which you are sure to 
avoid the blindness of passion, the dangers of 
precipitancy, or the foolhardiness of ignorance.” 
The course there enjoined is certainly not rapid or 
summary, because, as one of the grave and fore¬ 
casting sages mentioned, woidd have said, “ the 
more haste the less speedit is certainly peace¬ 
ful, not belligerent, because violence never can be 
reason; and it is certainly bottomed upon a vigi- 












lant provision of the good will of all, and not 
alone of a part, whether sectional or industrial. 
Nothing, perhaps, in the Constitution illustrates 
more strongly the consciousness that it was de¬ 
signed to be, not an idle play-ground on which 
capricious and artificial doctrines might try their 
experiments, but an everlasting Government, 
without suspension or break, conforming to the 
exigencies of progress, as this very provision for 
amendment; nor is there a feature in the whole 
worthier of deference and adhesion. 

The occasion does not allow my entering, 
fellow-citizens, into the detailed distribution of 
the various legislative, executive and judicial 
powers systematically delineated in our govern¬ 
mental chart; nor into the prohibitory restric¬ 
tions, nor the reservations of State or popular 
rights. In all this, it is wonderful to note how 
sagaciously and scrupulously the instrument was 
ultimately perfected. At home, dealing with 
linked and fraternal commonwealths, it is marked 
by forbearance and respect; abroad, dealing with 
independent nations, it is fastidious and firm; to 
the responsible agencies of public authority it is 
direct and peremptory; to the private citizen it 
is fostering and just. 


Having given you a hurried, but, as far as it 
goes, faithful sketch of your Constitution, let me 
hasten to ask whether you are ready to relinquish 













27 


so inestimable a blessing, consigned to yon by so 
honored an ancestry'? 

There are those, heretofore sworn brethren of 
ours, who profess doctrines of political association 
subversive of this, or, indeed, any other Govern¬ 
ment; and, who, to enforce nullification, seces¬ 
sion or revolution, (called by either name, the 
thing is the same,) have furtively and fast seized 
your forts, taken your treasure, trampled on your 
flag, pillaged your commerce, and pointed their 
artillery at the dome of your Capitol! 

Let us look at this extraordinary measure, and, 
if possible, without disturbing emotion, inquire. 
First. Whether it be in your power to abandon 
your Constitution'? Second. Whether, if it be in 
your power, your doing so, as matters now stand, 
would be becoming'? And Third. Whether the 
Chief Executive and people of the United States 
have any duty to discharge under their Constitu¬ 
tion, so single, obvious, and absolute, as that of 
inflexibly beating the rebellion down'? A few 
sentences on each of these points, and my task is 
ended. 

1. In the first place then, fellow-citizens, 
frankly be it said, there cannot be found in the 
sacred instrument on which my comments have 
been made, one word giving warrant, by any pro¬ 
cess, for its own extinction. It was not born to 
die. No functionary, no State, no Congress, no 












28 


combination of communities or individuals, is 
authorized to mutilate the Union, or kill the 
Constitution. That is a crime which, like parri¬ 
cide in Solon’s day, is treated as inconceivable. 
We hear often of conventions, consultations, con¬ 
ferences and compromises—they are the vague 
and fluttering devices of anxious philanthropy; 
but, unless the Fifth Article has been strictly 
pursued, which we all know now to be impos¬ 
sible, these expedients are utterly inapplicable 
and fruitless. For, remember, this provision— 
not, in fact, designed to destroy, but to strengthen 
—enunciates the necessity, before the slightest 
alteration can be attempted, that firsts two-thirds^ 
of both Houses of Congress shall unite in propo¬ 
sing it; or, second^ that the Legislatures of two- 
thirds of the several States shall apply for a 
General Convention; and thirds that whatever 
change may be contemplated, whether by two- 
thirds of both Congressional Chambers, or by 
two-thirds of the State Legislatures, must wholly 
fail, unless it be subsequently ratifled by the 
Legislatures or Conventions of three-fourths of 
the States. The mere recital shows the futility, 
if not impracticability, into which the tempestu¬ 
ous course of events have paralyzed this article. 
No! fellow-citizens, you have not the power to 
abandon your Constitution. 

2. But if you had that power, what thenl 












29 


Need I say that, without being recreant to all 
your antecedents, its exercise is precluded by the 
boasted attitude and armor of those who demand 
it'? The lowering front of armed and contume¬ 
lious rebellion is not the presence in which con¬ 
cession is possible. Give up the Constitution, 
rupture the Union, burn the archives of your 
glorious history, and open wide the flood-gates of 
disaster upon the country, if such can be your 
choice, but never do it in subservient meekness 
to envenomed opprobium, or while listening to 
the roar of our enemy’s cannon. The stigma of 
an act so grovelling, dastardly, and degenerate as 
that —so utterly un-American—would cover us 
for ages as with a poisoned pall. Fellow-citizens: 
There are formidable batteries frowning at 
Manassas; behind them gleam undiscriminating 
hatred and scorn, sharpening every sword and 
speeding every bullet,—we would cease to be 
men if we crouched to either. » 

3. In this war there is really no alternative for 
loyal Constitutionalists. In the explicit language 
of the unanimously adopted resolution of Mr. 
Crittenden, it was forced upon the Government 
of the United States. Ketrospective narrative, 
therefore, would be alike tedious and useless. It 
is on our hands. We see it, hear it, feel it. 
Our fathers, brothers, and sons are falling in 
hecatombs, sacrificed to its fury. Every breeze 












80 


comes laden with its changing incidents, its 
alarms, its hopes, its glooms, its taunts, its 
cheers, its covert slaying, and its open struggles. 
The gates of Janus are expanded wide. Xo 
room now left for diplomacy of any sort; none 
for soothing words of remonstrance. Fight we 
must; fight, a Voutrance^ those whom we have 
heretofore fostered and taught how to fight; 
drive them from their infatuated and parricidal 
purpose of destroying their own country; and 
pause only when that country, its Union and 
Constitution, are inaccessible to outrage. 

No doubt, fellow-citizens, no doubt, this contest 
must lead to great effusion of blood, to vast ex¬ 
penditure, to alternations of victory and discom¬ 
fiture, and to an immense aggregate of suffering. 
Such have been the consequences of civil war at 
all times and wherever it has burst forth. 

It must be confronted with a stern and steady 
gaze. Every sipew should be braced, and, if 
necessary, while the country is in peril, every 
heart in every bosom, every dollar in every 
purse, every drop in every vein, be held at its 
service. 

When we shall have thus done all that a great 
people can and ought to do to rescue from insur¬ 
gent violence the American Union, involving as 
it does the safety, order, liberty and peace of 
countless millions, then will the shades of our 














31 



venerated sires smile upon tlieir sons, and we may 
look confidently to a just Heaven for success. 


The able address of Mr. Dallas was listened to 
with deep interest, frequently interrupted with 
hearty cheers at its noble sentiments. At its 
close the ‘‘ Star-Spangled Banner” was played by 
the band, all the people joining in the chorus. 


VI. 

STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. 

BY FRANCIS S. KKY. 

O say! can you see, by the dawn’s early light, 

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming— 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous light, 
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ! 
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air. 

Gave proof, thro’ the night, that our tlag was still there ? 

O! say does that Star-spangled Banner yet wave 
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave? 





















32 


On that shore, dimly seen, through the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes. 
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, 
xVs it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? 

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, 

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream; 

’Tis the Star-spangled Banner, O long may it wave 
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave! 

And where is that band who so vauntingl}^ swore 
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion 
A home and a country should leave us no more ? 

Their blood has wash’d out their foul footsteps’ pollution. 
N o refuge could save the hireling and slave 
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave ? 

And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph doth wave 
O’er the land of the free; and the home of the brave. 

O ! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand 
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation ! 
Bless’d with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land 
Praise the Power that made and preserved us a nation. 
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just? 

And this be our motto—“ In God is our trust!”— 

And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave 
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

















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